State and national Republican leaders wasted no time jumping on the Mike Erickson bandwagon.

Even before Erickson's rival, Kevin Mannix, had conceded in the Fifth Congressional District primary.

Although Democrats recently gained a slight edge in voter registration in the district, it's considered a toss-up this fall and one of the few Congressional races where the GOP could pick off a Democratic seat.

"The 5th District has always been a marginal district for Democrats and with Mike Erickson as the nominee, Republicans are likely to be very competitive this fall. Michael Erickson is a successful entrepreneur. ... His pro-small business agenda makes him an ideal fit" for the district, the National Republican Congressional Committee said in a statement issued at 10 p.m.

The Oregon Republican Party quickly follwed suit:

"Mike Erickson has shown us he is a tough campaigner and he is ready to take on his Democratic opponent in the general election," state GOP chairman Vance Day said in an e-mail.

There were a few negative gestures and comments, Harvey said. "You get one or two Democrats."

Harvey said passers-by didn't bring up the last-minute controversy that erupted after Kevin Mannix, Erickson's opponent in the GOP primary, accused Erickson of paying for an ex-girlfriend's abortion eight years ago. A poll released Monday showed some voter backlash and Mannix shifting from underdog to top dog.

Schrader, a veterinarian from Canby breezed to a Democratic primary victory. The race also featured what might have been the night's biggest shocker: the poor showing of his main challenger, Steve Marks.

Marks, a lobbyist and former aide to Gov. John Kitzhaber, was in a tight race for second place with Nancy Moran, a retired Oregon City social worker, who spent about $6,000 on her campaign.